Drugs & Kids

Destroying a Generation

by Syed O. Quadri, M.D., Psychiatrist
Psych Pointe of Florida • 407-270-7702 • www.psychpointe.com


Parents should beware of kids having problems with mood, behavioral issues and poor grades in school. The majority of children get exposed to drugs in middle school, and many get addicted to them in high school. Watch out for the following signs, and if seen, get help as soon as possible. You could be saving a life and a generation: Falling school grades, lack of interest in daily life activities or in school, truancy, slowness in speech, poor social interactions, fatigue and lethargy, isolation, anger, aggression, defiance, stealing, lying, unnecessary arguments at home, fights with other children at school, increased impulsivity, unusual mood and behavioral changes.
Drug use, abuse and addiction can lead to physical, mental and legal issues that can cause either lifelong impairment or death by either overdosing or mixing drugs that lead to cardiac failure. The most common drugs used illegally these days are nicotine/tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, K2, Spice (synthetic marijuana), hashish, heroin, opiates (pain pills), cocaine, amphetamines, meth, MDMA (ecstasy), benzodiazepines, GHB, ketamine, PCP, salvia, dextromethorphan (cough syrup), LSD, mescaline, psilocybin (mushrooms), anabolic steroids and inhalants.

Unfortunately, only one in 10 people who are using drugs receive substance abuse treatment. Addiction and substance abuse should be managed and treated by a team of trained health care professionals, including psychiatrists, licensed counselors, social workers, physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners who specialize in addiction.
Parents can test their children at home using an over-the-counter urine drug-screen kit that does not need a physician’s prescription. They can be purchased from any pharmacy.
If you need help, call the National Institute of Mental Health at 1-866-415-8051 or contact a local psychiatrist. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. ♥